432-00128 (Transportation)

The Government of Canada is pleased to respond to this petition.

From Canada’s small towns to its largest urban centres, safe, modern, and efficient public transit is vital to the functioning of communities, and it is a priority for the Government of Canada. Public transit investment helps to reduce traffic congestion on roads, and helps contribute to healthier and more sustainable communities. Public transit is the primary means of mobility for many Canadians, allowing them to access jobs, education, health care and social activities. With increasing urbanization and an aging population, transit systems in both urban and rural areas will need to adapt their services. That is why the Government of Canada is investing $28.7 billion over 12 years to support ambitious public transit projects. This long-term, stable funding will make it possible for Canadian communities to transform the way people live, move and work.

In recognition of the need for long-term, predictable transit funding, the Government of Canada is committed to making public transit funding permanent, and to ensuring that the value of this funding increases over time with the cost of construction.

The Government of Canada has also committed to ensuring that federal investments in public transit are used to support the transition to a low-carbon economy, including by helping municipalities and school boards purchase zero-emission transit and school buses over the next five years. The Government has also signalled that, starting in 2023, new federal investments in public transit will be used to support zero-emission buses and rail systems.

These investments are needed more than ever to build safe, modern, and efficient public transit systems to support the health and sustainability of our communities. The COVID-19 pandemic has created real challenges for communities across Canada, and it’s critical to continue supporting public transit, to build cleaner communities, and to help the most vulnerable who rely on transit to access social and economic opportunities. The Government’s commitment to providing permanent funding for public transit will play a vital role in “building back better” in a post-COVID era.  Ongoing investments in public transit will have direct economic benefits throughout the construction of major systems and stations, creating good paying jobs and bolstering growth in the short to medium term. Ongoing funding will also support the electrification of Canada’s transit fleet, which will reduce GHG emissions from transit systems themselves and support the proliferation of electrification across the sector, and will enable equitable access to economic and social opportunities for those with limited travel options.  The Government is also focused on getting things done quickly, which has been made evident by the new COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, which aims to build projects quickly and to remain flexible, allowing for transfers between funding streams, helping communities become resilient in their response to the pandemic. 

Measures outlined in the Speech from the Throne reinforced the Government’s commitment to investing in public transit infrastructure and zero-emission vehicles in order to keep building strong communities and to continue working toward our 2030 and 2050 emissions goals.  The Government of Canada will continue to work closely with provincial, territorial and municipal partners to fund infrastructure projects. Going forward, these shared investments will remove barriers, bring people together, and foster livable, vibrant communities across Canada.